the steering column continues to plague me.

[Mikeblo22]

Hello everyone and thankyou for your advice on the problem of my steering column and the security system work around. My mechanic, Tom, he put a used column in the car and he then told me that because the column was different it came with a different key I was going to have to have it reprogrammed by GM so that it would recognize the key when it tried to start the car. Well 50.00 for the key and programming of the ohms that the resistor required, and I thought great I will have a car that works and starts. When he got here with the key, he charged my car and then when he went to start the car it was blocked by the security code. he told me that he needed to put his computer machine on the computer in my car use the k9 key and cleared all the information that previously existed. I was and am helpless because he seems like he knows what he is doing. but after doing that with the k9 key, the car still would not start. I was becoming Irate. He told me that because when I bought the car I didn't have a keyless fab, which he explained was a keyless remote that he could lock and then unlock the car that would send a signal to the security system and my car would then start but because I didn't have it, I would have to go to GM and get further charged, for a problem, that doesn't seem that hard to fix. why didn't he just take my advice and do the work around, which by the way now he suggested as one possibility. But when I brought it to his attention 2 days ago, he looked at me like "I am the mechanic not you". So I figured he is the mechanic, and he should be allowed to do his job without interference. I have already spent 100 for the used column, 250 for the installation which took him about 6 hours. a bunch of miscellaneous charges, that have worked out to be about 450.00. and he just pawned me off to GM or if I want 80 bucks for the work around which was suggested days ago by someone on this site which I am very thankful for. He included pics and everything. But to that fellow who was just trying to help, I was just following my mechanics orders. but he has left me with the new key that won't start the car and it just burns me up... anyway if anyone has any cost saving advice I would be pleased as I always am. and this time If it seems doable, I will give it a shot myself. I just bought the car and I need to get to PA to get an extension on the reg because they don't have the title yet. Anyhow Thanks for all the previous help and thankyou for any future help. This site is really for real. you guys help a guy out when he needs it. Thank You. Mike Bailo

[reb]

Did you pay your mechanic by credit card? You know where I'm going with that...........

[RJolly87]

I guess I don't understand what the mechanic did with reprogramming? There should not have been any reprogramming necessary. The system works by simply reading the resistance of the pellet in the key. You would just have a key made that has the new key cut pattern, but with the same resistance of the old key. No programming, nothing, just take new key, turn and fire.

What is the security light doing with the new key? Does it stay on steady, just blink when you try and start it, or come on for a few seconds and go out?

[Jrs3800]

Not understanding what the Mechanic is doing... I agree with the above, all that should have been required was to have the proper pellet installed into the new key, the car should have started fine after that... Unless the Passkey wires in the column are broken in some manner...

another way would be to simply find someone with a tuner and have them shut the security off till you can get it fixed..

[Mikeblo22]

someone told me that if I wanted to fix the problem all I needed to do was disconnect the wire from the battery and the starter. I don't know, I took advice that seemed easy and found myself changing a steering column and have yet to fix the problem that originally started all of this. anyway what does this Idea sound like a good one or a bad one.

[Mikeblo22]

Not understanding what the Mechanic is doing... I agree with the above, all that should have been required was to have the proper pellet installed into the new key, the car should have started fine after that... Unless the Passkey wires in the column are broken in some manner...

another way would be to simply find someone with a tuner and have them shut the security off till you can get it fixed..

I don't know he put in a new column and then I paid for a new key, because the key that came with the column would not work with this car. I understand that, but it burns me that when I bought the new key it still didn't work and he high tailed it out of there. and no I didn't pay by CC.
all I know is that he seems like he knew he was above his head and a GM Manager at a place in Cherrry Hill NJ said he would jump the wires for 100 dollars, and solve the problem. so that is where I stand now. Thank you for your help Mike Bailo. Have a great day.

[RJolly87]

Subject: the steering column continues to plague me.

I guess I don't understand what the mechanic did with reprogramming? There should not have been any reprogramming necessary. The system works by simply reading the resistance of the pellet in the key. You would just have a key made that has the new key cut pattern, but with the same resistance of the old key. No programming, nothing, just take new key, turn and fire.

What is the security light doing with the new key? Does it stay on steady, just blink when you try and start it, or come on for a few seconds and go out?

he went to gm to have them makke the key so that it would start my car. create the proper resistance for the car. There are only 15 different codes (ohms) so it isn't like this is science. I just think when this guy put in the steering column could he have done something.
the Key starts in that I mean it turns and it will turn all the way but it won't crank over. and the security light comes on. He told me some *shoot* and got out of there and told me I had to go to gm. I would ve demanded my money back but he did put the new column in and it took about 4 hours. I don't know just want the car to start.

First off, it is usually a good idea to keep everything in open view, instead of trying to get help with it through PM's.

Now, with the security light coming on and staying on, that tells us that the security system is reading the resistance across the chip in the key, and the resistance is not correct. If there was something done incorrectly in the steering column installation, I would expect to see a blinking security light, which signifies that the security system is not reading the resistance of the key at all. That is what would happen if wires were broken, or not connected.

Do you have a multimeter? If so, you can check the resistance across the keys to make sure they are correct, and you can even do a bypass yourself. Info here:
http://vats.likeabigdog.com/

[Jrs3800]

Agreed, check the resistance of the original key against the new key... There are 15 different resistances in the Passkey II system... If the resistance is wrong the car will not start...

Let us know how everything goes with the dealer... They should be able to get it running for you...

[Winn]

I had a similar no-start on a 92 that the key slot wore out and actually shorted. Locksmith replaced key set and wiring and key with matching resistance. NO Start. Took to dealer. Turns out there is an actual fusible link in the security sytem and if it burns out, no fussing will cure the problem. Dealer put in new link (about $80 if I remember right). worked fine.

[Mikeblo22]

thanks again for listening and giving advice. the CC advice was a nice sour laugh. but in the end it was GM that got the car running. But the moron mechanic TIM, cleared the codes on the computer. Why? you got me. in any event I have to drive the car and wait till the engine light comes on or at least till the bucking and the hesitation starts up, so that the GM mechanic can read why it is doing what it is doing. so anyway without further adu, thank you. Mike.

[myfirstbonnie]

If you get the SES light, have the codes read at Auto Zone or any other place (most do it for free) and report them back here. We have plenty of experience that I am sure we could help. The best part is, we do it for free. Unlike the other 2 you have gone to.

Glad to hear you got it running. When was the last time it had a tune up and regular maintenance?

[RJolly87]

Is moron mechanic Tim the one that replaced the column? If so, it was because he disconnected the battery to replace the column, which cleared the codes. Hardly worthy of moron status in my opinion.

[Mikeblo22]

The mechanic at GM fixed the problem. He said that the man who installed the column went to a GM dealership and they gave him the wrong key. imagine that a GM shop with the option of 15 giving the wrong key and the GM mechanic at Mall Chevrolet managed to do a jump that eliminated the security feature altogether. it took a couple of hours and cost a couple of hundred but he did fix it and it runs until recently but that is for another post. but yeah, the resister charge was wrong and wouldn't start the car. Thanks for all of your help. thanks -rjolly87-myfirstbonnie-winn-jrs3800-reb and to all those who read it and couldn't figure it out. you are not alone. but seriously thanks. Mike.